Description

This richly detailed study traces the shared history of Russia and Islam in expanding compass - from the Tatar civilization within the Russian heartland, to the conquered territories of the Caucasus and Central Asia, to the larger geopolitical and security context of contemporary Russia on the civilizational divide. The study's distinctive analytical drive stresses political and geopolitical relationships over time and into the very complicated present. Rich with insight, the book is also an incomparable source of factual information about Russia's Muslim populations, religious institutions, political organizations, and ideological movements.show more

Review quote

"Whether relations between the West and Islam ever erupt into 'war,' which the editors of the London Economist judge 'by no means impossible,' is a question Russia's sensitive relations with its Muslim neighbors and its own 20 million Muslim citizens will help determine. For that reason, this important book arrives at a critical time. Policymakers and scholars alike will benefit from the insights and data this major study provides." - Charles William Maynes, President, Eurasia Foundation; "Shireen Hunter and her collaborators have provided us with a comprehensive study of the 'Islamic factor' in Russia today, focusing on both domestic and foreign policy implications. A very useful book on a very important topic." - Edward W. Walker, University of California, Berkeley; "This is a splendid book. Dr. Hunter makes a real contribution with this painstaking analysis of Islam in Russia. She clearly notes not only the fragmented nature of Russian Islam, but also demonstrates Islam's role in Russian domestic politics and foreign policy. I expect that this will be a major reference work for many years to come." - Robert O. Freedman, Baltimore Hebrew University"show more

Table of contents

Foreword, Ambassador James F. Collins; Part I. Islam in Russia, Past and Present: An Overview; 1. Islam in Russia: The Historical Background; 2. Islam in Post-Soviet Russia: A Demographic, Geographic, Institutional, Socio-Economic, Ideological, and Political Profile; Part II, Identity Politics in the Russian Federation: The Islamic Factor; 3. The Evolution of Russia's Post-Soviet National Identity: The Impact of the Islamic Factor; 4. The Evolution of Russian Federalism: The Islamic Factor; 5. Democratization and Multi-Party Politics in Post-Soviet Russia; Part III. Russia and Islam: The Islamic Factor in Russia's External Relations; 6. The Evolution of Russia's Foreign Policy Perspectives in the Post-Soviet Era; 7. The Role of Islam in Shaping Russia's Post-Soviet External Relations; 8. Russian Policy Toward Central Asia and the Transcaucasus; 9. Russia's Relations with the Northern Tier Countries; 10. Russia's Relations with the Arab World and the Balkans; 11. Russian-Western Relations; Conclusionshow more

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